Welcome to the March edition of the make a big difference newsletter.
Since the last edition, the team at Young Heroes have been working tirelessly, organising some exciting fundraising events; including a corporate summer ball!! A first in the history of both Impact and Young Heroes and I’m sure it will be a great success. Please read on for further details of the Summer Ball 2009.
Up and down the country and even across the Atlantic in the beautiful island of Lanzarote, people of all ages are raising money to help Young Heroes. As a regular new feature to the newsletter; Young Heroes will be thanking each and every individual, company and organisation that donates products, services, time and money to the charity. Donations allow Young Heroes to plan more support services and help even more young people living with cancer. It really does make a big difference!
As a special feature to celebrate Mothers Day this month, I have included some heart warming messages from a handful of the young people Young Heroes is currently supporting. Which leads me to wish everyone a very Happy Mothers Day from myself and everyone at Young Heroes.
Enjoy!
Best wishes
Kim Tetlaw
Editor
Mothers Day Special
Mother’s Day… It’s that special time of the year to say a big thank you to your mum. A time to thank her for bringing you into the world and the years of undoubted love, care and support she has shown. Below are some heartwarming messages from a number of the young people the charity currently supports, all wishing to express their best wishes to their mums on this special day.
Mam,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the last 4 years especially when I was on treatment. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.
Happy Mothers Day,
Lots of love Kimberley xx
To Mum,
Just want to say Thank You for everything you’ve done not only just over these last few (very hard!) months but the whole 9 years.
You’ve been by my side through every check up, blood test, transfusion, stay in hospital (staying every single night that I stayed in), lines in and out, lumber puncture, Bone Marrow and countless other things that you have had to watch when I’m sure you’d rather not ha-ha.
I’m sure you could pretty much qualify for a nurse by now! And i think if you were a nurse you’d be the best one around!
I’m glad that one good thing came out of this illness, its that you and I are super close and not only are you my lovely, gorgeous mum, you are my best friend who I can talk to about anything, the only person I share all my secrets to and the one I look up to the most and would love to be like when I am older. I am so lucky to have you as both my mum and my friend.
I love you with all my heart. Kerry xxx
Dear Mum,
Thank you for all the love and support you have given me over the last two years.
I hope you have a fabulous day,
Love you lots, Katie xxx
Mum,
To mum on this Mothers Day just to say thanks for never giving up on me and pushing me to be a better person.
When I became ill with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia(ALL) three years ago you never left my side and when I was down you always put a smile on my face ha ha, you are the best mum in the world and I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost you because you are not just my mum you are also my best friend.
You’ve always been there through thick and thin so thank you so much for being my mum love you loads.
Daniel
Charity Ball In Aid Of Young Heroes
Impact Young Heroes are pleased to announce details of the forthcoming corporate Charity Ball, sponsored by Heather Irvine Skin and Beauty.
The prestigious event will be held at The Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford on the 27th June 2009 and will be a truly unforgettable night of fabulous fundraising and brilliant entertainment.
It will offer a perfect opportunity for entertaining your staff, colleagues and clients, and will combine a superb corporate hospitality environment with the all-important task of raising much-needed funds to support young people living with life-threatening illnesses.
The evening consists of a champagne reception, a fabulous 4 course meal, quality entertainment from singing sensation Janet Jaye and dancing throughout the evening. Plus a fundraising auction with some extremely generous prizes up for grabs.
If you know of any companies or indeed you work for a company that would be interested in this glitzy event, contact Sharon Brown on 0870 055 43 13 or email sharon.brown@impactliving.org
Why not take advantage of the early bird rate?
Discounted tickets can be purchased per table of 10 for just £750. Tickets purchased after the 30th April will be charged at the full rate of £1000 per table.
Individual tickets are also available subject to availability and are priced at a reasonable £75 with the early bird discount, £100 there after.
Book now to ensure that you don’t miss out on this fabulous occasion!
*Attractive sponsorship packages available.
Questions & Answers with……
Kimberley White is a 20 year old young woman from Newcastle who was diagnosed with Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at just 16 years old.
Kim on right pictured with her girlfriend Emma
Pre diagnoses were you studying at school/college at the time?
I was studying health and social care in 6th form but my ultimate goal was to be in the Fire Service.
What events lead to your diagnosis?
I’d had a lump on my hand for about 2 years but never went to doctors as I thought it was nothing. Over time I noticed it was getting bigger and it was sore.
I went to the doctors and got sent straight to the hospital I was diagnosed a week later after having a biopsy.
What was your first reaction when diagnosed?
My first thoughts were will I still be able to get in the fire service, will I lose my hair? To be honest I didn’t really feel shocked or scared because it didn’t sink in for months.
What treatments were involved and how long did you undergo them?
I had chemo for 6 month, surgery, and radiotherapy for 6 weeks
What have you taken away from your experience over the last few years?
In a way being diagnosed was a good thing as I met so many nice people that will remain friends forever.
The support you have received during your illness and recovery?
The support I received from family and friends was great and I don’t know what I would have done without them
Where did you first hear about Young Heroes?
I first heard about Young Heroes from my social worker at the hospital who told me about the holidays they offer. Then in the November me and my girlfriend Emma went to Lanzarote and we loved it!
We went go-carting, bowling, we went on boat trips and we couldn’t have been with better people than Bev and Rob. They were so kind and fun to be with and always there if you needed something.
Paul Mullen –
Young Heroes volunteer
In 1993 Ivor Arbiter, owner/director of Arbiter Musical Instruments PLC, started the Fender Club UK, for guitar enthusiasts. The club also enlisted celebrity guitarists such as Hank Marvin (The Shadows), Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt (Status Quo), John Miles, Eric Clapton, and Bryan Adams, to name but a few.
Over the next 3-4 years, as most of the events arranged by the club took place in the London area, various members started “fellowships” in their own area. In 1997 therefore, finding myself “between bands” as it were, I took on the role of chairman of the Fender Club North East Fellowship.
In 2000, we changed the name to North East Guitar Club, and although the Fender Club became defunct in 2005, we still meet once a month at a local working mens club.
When setting up the club in 1997, one of my intentions was to raise as much money for charity as I could. Between 1999 and 2003, by putting on an annual show for charity, we had some success in raising funds for various cancer charities, but at this time we had considerable support from the parent Fender Club in the form of raffle prizes, and publicity in the club magazine which enabled us to sell raffle tickets outside to the local area. We selected the charities at that time by all the members nominating their favourite charity, and drawing from a hat.
Not having done anything for charity for a few years therefore, I wondered if the members would be happy with me “imposing” my favourite charity on them, with a view to adopting it for a year. I needn’t have worried, they jumped at the chance.
As a result the North East Guitar Club has adopted Young Heroes as the nominated charity. We intend to put on 2 shows, one on September 26th, and the other in March 2010. I also intend to hold a raffle at each monthly meeting, and am canvassing ideas for other money raising activities.
Paul Mullen.
Thank You’s
A big thank you to the following individuals, organisations and companies which have generously supported Young Heroes through various donations and fundraising events.
A big thank you to:
Lanzarote Mothers Union
Across the Atlantic, Young Heroes would like to say a special thank you to Sheila Lewis and the ladies of the Lanzarote Mothers’ Union for their pledge to donate gift packs to each young person who has a Young Heroes holiday.
Rooftops Bar, Playa Blanca
Young Heroes wish to thank Richard and Kate at Rooftops Bar in Playa Blanca for raising €480 through a games fundraising night. The event, held back in December was a great success and enjoyed by everyone who attended.
Nikki Easton
A big thank you to Nikki Easton who generously donated a cot bed and a high chair to the Casa Nissar villa in Lanzarote. Young Heroes are most grateful and the products you donated will be most useful to those guests with children.
Thank you.
Julie Fox
Many thanks to Julie Fox and Doreen (Aunty Dor) for their kind donation of £200.00.
The money was raised through a raffle in Julie’s hairdresser salon. Julie and Doreen are aunty and grandma of Daniel Hewitt, the 20 year old young man featured in the last newsletter.
Thank you
Solihull Indoor Bowling Club
Many thanks to Solihull Indoor Bowling Club for their kind donation of £217.00 raised at the clubs’ Christmas meal. Talented youngsters Saxophony also played at the event.
Many thanks.
The White Bear, Stillington
Young Heroes would like to thank the White Bear Pub in the quaint village of Stillington, York, for their donation of £100.00. Landlord Phil Robinson, wife Sue and daughter Tara hosted a quiz night which was a great success and saw many locals turn out. Thank you to you all.
New accommodation for young people
Corban Street is a recently renovated property consisting of 7 apartments; incorporating new doors, windows, kitchens, bathrooms and heating system. The development in Dudley Hill, Bradford will house 7 young people, with first tenants moving in within the next couple of weeks.
Young People who are living with cancer need accommodation as well as support and it is apartments, such as Corban Street that will make a big difference. It is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about a lifestyle which brings together high quality, furnished accommodation, in an environment that is safe, supportive and uniquely different.
We will follow the stories of some of the young people who move into this type of accommodation and include photos inside the exciting new developments.
‘A Great Day Out’…..Daniel Hewitt – London February 2009
On Wednesday 18th February 2009, Daniel Hewitt (see his story here) experienced a Young Heroes ‘Great Day Out’. Dan was treated to 1st class train travel and a ‘whistle-stop’ tour to our Capital City.
From his choices of The British Library, London Eye and The National Gallery (art) Dan’s day was full and varied! Dan saw London from above the ground when he experienced ‘The London Eye’, The London Eye isn’t just one of London’s top tourist attractions; it’s an extraordinary piece of engineering design and architecture and Dan loved it…..Initially he wasn’t too sure, but once on the ‘ride’ he was amazed by the fantastic view of London.
We had no idea that Dan was so interested in art, so when we arrived at The National Gallery, we were impressed by Dan’s interest and knowledge of famous artists and their work….from Sunflower’s by Van Gogh to works by Leonardo Da Vinci….Dan was enthralled.
Tube journeys were entertaining (Dan was the entertainer) and after a lovely meal and the return journey home, Dan was tired but very satisfied. His words as he was ‘dropped off’ at home were ‘I’ll sleep tonight’!!
We aim to provide many more Great Days for young people, who are experiencing the effects of cancer and to do this we need your help!! The cost of ‘A Great Day Out’ is approximately £300…..
all you need to do is follow this link and donate now!!
Thanks from Dan and the Young Heroes team.